This September, The African American Heritage Association Community Conversations in association with Tombolo Books presents a screening of “Underground History” and discussion moderated by Ms. Gwendolyn Reese, President, African American Heritage Association of St. Petersburg.

Underground History is a documentary film project designed to explore connections between the St. Petersburg’s diverse cultural history and emerging community efforts to acknowledge that past in charting the future. The project considers the links between the history and remaining archeological sites of the region’s Indigenous Ancestors, the displaced contemporary African American communities and erased Black cemeteries and historic waterways which once created a connectivity for these places and people. Underground History poses this question: if a community fully acknowledge its past, can it develop a deeper sense of place and a better vision for the future?

The event will provide an opportunity for discussion with the filmmakers and project advisors, as well as exploration of ideas for on-going engagement in community efforts around St. Petersburg’s history, archeology and cultural heritage.